ABSTRACT: This Generic Requirements document (GR) outlines the Telcordia proposed generic requirements for handholes and other below-ground splice vaults intended to house telecommunications components used in an outside plant environment. All handholes covered in this document are intended for non-deliberate traffic applications. These products may house GR-771, Generic Requirements for Fiber Optic Splice Closures, or GR-3151, Generic Requirements for Copper Splice Closures, type closures used for the distribution of telephone service or coaxial taps, and fiber optic passive elements used to distribute broadband services.

Handholes are plastic or polymer concrete structures set below ground with their lids flush to the surrounding soil, turf, footpath, or road surface. These products can be used to:

• House and protect copper, coaxial, and optical fiber telephone cable splices and distribution elements
• Provide convenient access to, while safeguarding, cable termination and branch points
• Provide flexibility and access for installation operations (e.g., pulling or blowing cables).

• Light Duty: Pedestrian Only
• Medium Duty: Pedestrian and Light Incidental Vehicular Traffic
• Heavy Duty: Non-Deliberate (Incidental) Vehicular Traffic - Class 7
• Heavy Duty: Non-Deliberate (Incidental) Vehicular Traffic - Class 8